On Trial Australia

In this episode, Simon and Erin Patterson’s children give evidence. Both say they ate meat they believed was lunch leftovers. The son then recalls how he and his mother spotted a mushroom growing in the local botanic gardens during a pandemic walk. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A doctor tells the jury Erin Patterson recalled sourcing mushrooms from a Chinese grocer but was unable to remember which store as a search was launched. As extended family gave further evidence about their family dynamics, the accused killer's sister-in-law recalls the accused killer asking how her unwell lunch guests were faring.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The jury is played a Triple-0 call from a doctor asking for police help, after Erin Patterson discharged herself from hospital. He later tells her she needs to get her children checked out, fearing they may have also been poisoned. He warns her they can be scared and alive, or dead.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Church pastor Ian Wilkinson survived the deadly mushroom lunch. He tells the court Erin Patterson seemed reluctant to let her lunch guests see inside her new pantry. Later, he says he overhead staff looking for the accused killer as he and his ill wife were being rushed to Melbourne hospitals.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three women who befriended Erin Patterson in a true crime group gave evidence, telling the jury she asked for advice on how to make beef Wellington. The court also heard Patterson was considered a  “super sleuth” and self-described atheist, who struggled with her estranged husband’s faith. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first witness is called to take the stand, and it's Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the prosecution sets out its case against Erin Patterson, they accuse the 50-year-old mushroom cook of telling a string of lies.

The defence admit she did tell lies, but say she never deliberately poisoned anyone.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the first day of her murder trial, the jury learned charges Erin Patterson tried to kill her estranged husband had been dropped. Patterson is standing trial accused of murdering three other family members and attempting to murder a fourth after serving a lunch of beef wellington containing deadly mushrooms. She’s pleaded not guilty to all charges.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From A Current Affair and 9Podcasts, The Saints is a new investigative podcast unraveling one of Australia’s most shocking and heartbreaking stories: the tragic death of eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs. All 14 members of the fringe religious group known as The Saints - including her own parents - were found guilty of her manslaughter, but many questions remain unanswered.

How did it all go so wrong? How did an innocent child slip through every safety net? How did a system meant to protect her fail so spectacularly? And will those responsible for her death ever repent?

The Saints is out now, with new episodes released on Mondays.

Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.